Farhadi gets approval to run Iran's Science Ministry

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's new nominee for minister of science, research and technology, Mohammad Farhadi, was overwhelmingly approved by parliamentarians on Wednesday.
Out of the 235 votes cast, 197 MPs voted in favor, 28 against, and 10 abstained.

Mohammad Farhadi speaking at the Parliament

Farhadi was the third nominee for the post after Reza Faraji Dana was voted out by the parliament in August.

Later Rouhani proposed two new nominees to the Majlis but none of them could win the MPs' confidence.

Farhadi expressed gratitude over the president's trust on him.

He stated that he will make efforts to promote all sciences, including basic sciences and humanities regardless of his personal interests.

The president attended the parliament to defend Farhadi.

Rouhani thanked the former nominees and expressed hope that they would serve people in other positions.

Hossein Qorbani, who represents Astaneh Ashrafieh in parliament, said Farhadi is not affiliated to any particular political group or party.

The fact that a large number of MPs like to defend Farhadi is because he is a "capable" person, Qorbani added.

Seyed Mehdi Hashemi, a legislator who represents Tehran, called on the new science minister to deal seriously with those students who had received scholarship through favoritism during the tenure of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency.

Farhdi, who served as science minister in the government of Mir-Hossein Mousavi and health minister in the government of Mohammad Khatami, said his most important task is to advance the country scientifically.

With regard to "my experience and knowledge I say unequivocally" that "scientific progress" is the most important issue, Farhadi stated.

After his approved by MPs Farhadi said each minister "forms his own team" of deputies and aides.

On November 19, 171 parliamentarians voted against Fakhroddin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani, a professor of civil engineering at Khajeh Nasiruddin Tousi University of Technology. On October 29, legislators also rejected Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi.

Their opponents alleged that they played roles in the post-election unrest in 2009, a claim both categorically rejected.